Being an outpatient with rheumatoid arthritis--a focus group study on patients' self-efficacy and experiences from participation in a short course and one of three different outpatient settings

Patients' experience of a novel interdisciplinary nurse-led self-management intervention (INSELMA)-a qualitative evaluation

BACKGROUND

Despite continuous improvements in anti-rheumatic pharmacological treatment, people with chronic inflammatory arthritis still report substantial disease impact. Based on the framework for complex interventions, we thus developed INSELMA, a novel nurse-coordinated multidisciplinary self-management intervention for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or axial spondyloarthritis. Based on individual biopsychosocial assessments, a rheumatology nurse facilitated goal setting and coordinated interdisciplinary support. The aim of this study was to explore the patients' experience of participating in the six-months INSELMA intervention.

METHODS

Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 of the participants after their final follow-up. Thematic analysis was applied.

RESULTS

The analysis derived four overall themes. (1) A new opportunity at the right time. The participants' disease impacted all areas of daily life. Participation in INSELMA was experienced as an opportunity to improve symptoms and together reduce long-held challenges they had fought alone, until now. (2) The importance of person-centred goals. The participants found it meaningful to work with their individual goals, which encompassed physical, psychological, and social factors. Having time between consultations to work with goals at home was important. (3) Empathy, partnership and a little nudging from health professionals are essential. The empathic nurses' continuous support and coaching helped participants become aware of their own resources. The participants highlighted having access to support from a physiotherapist and occupational therapist with rheumatology experience as important. (4) I got more than I could have hoped for. Most of the participants experienced decreased symptom load and improvement in physical strength, mobility, sleep, and mood as well as increased energy, knowledge, and self-management ability. The participants expressed new hope for the future with an improved ability to manage their symptoms and work towards new goals.

CONCLUSION

The participants found the INSELMA intervention meaningful and feasible. They experienced decreased disease impact and increased activity levels, facilitated by empathy and self-management support from health professionals.

Development of a complex Interdisciplinary Nurse-coordinated SELf-MAnagement (INSELMA) intervention for patients with inflammatory arthritis

BACKGROUND

Apart from a consistent focus on treating inflammation, patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) report a range of unmet needs. Many experience not only residual symptoms but also various other physical, psychological, and social effects. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a complex Interdisciplinary Nurse-coordinated self-management (INSELMA) intervention for patients with IA, as an add-on treatment to usual outpatient care for those with substantial disease impact.

METHODS

This study followed the British Medical Research Council's updated framework for developing complex interventions. The process encompassed the following steps: (1) The evidence base was identified; (2) workshops were held, involving 38 relevant stakeholders (managers, physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists from hospitals and municipalities, and two patient research partners), to discuss and further develop the preliminary ideas; (3) relevant theories were identified (i.e., self-efficacy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and health literacy); (4) the intervention was modeled and remodeled and (5) the results, describing the final INSELMA intervention and outcomes.

RESULTS

The INSELMA intervention encompasses an initial biopsychosocial assessment, which is performed by a rheumatology nurse. Then, activities that the participant wishes to improve are identified and goals are set. The nurse refers the participant to a multidisciplinary team and coordinates their support and relevant services in the participant's municipality. In addition, the health professionals have the opportunity to hold two interdisciplinary conferences during the intervention period. The participant and the health professionals work to achieve the set goals during a 6-month period, which ends with a status assessment and a discussion of further needs. The INSELMA intervention aims to increase self-management, reduce the impact of IA (e.g., pain, fatigue, sleep problems, and absenteeism), and increase self-efficacy, quality of life, mental well-being, work ability, and physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The development of the INSELMA intervention involved stakeholders from two Danish rheumatology outpatient clinics, patient research partners and municipalities. We believe that we have identified important mechanisms to increase the self-management and quality of life of people with IA and to decrease the disease impact in those who are substantially affected. The health professionals involved have developed competences in delivering the intervention and it is ready to be tested in a feasibility study.

A scoping review of shared care models for rheumatoid arthritis with patient-initiated follow-up

OBJECTIVE

An emerging strategy to address access challenges to rheumatologists for patients with RA is shared care between primary and specialist care, with patient-initiated rheumatologist follow-up as needed. The objective of this scoping review was to explore studies implementing this model of care.

METHODS

Four electronic databases were searched from 01/01/2000-31/03/2022 using three main concepts (RA, shared care, patient-initiated follow-up). English-language studies of any design were included if they described the implementation and/or outcomes of shared care model for RA with patient-initiated follow-up. Two authors reviewed and selected articles in duplicate and extracted data on study characteristics, care model implementation and outcomes according to a pre-specified protocol.

RESULTS

Following duplicate removal, 1578 articles were screened for inclusion and 58 underwent full-text review. Sixteen articles were included, representing 10 unique studies. Five studies had qualitative outcomes and two were pre-implementation studies. Model implementation varied significantly between studies. Effectiveness data was available in 10 studies and demonstrated equivalent outcomes for the model of care (disease activity, radiographic damage, quality of life). Health system costs were equivalent or lower than usual care. While satisfaction with care was equivalent or improved in shared care models with patient-initiated follow-up, some concerns were expressed in qualitative evaluation around appropriate patient selection for such models, and information for health equity evaluation was not reported.

CONCLUSIONS

While shared care models with patient-initiated follow-up may offer comparable outcomes for RA, further work is required to understand patient preferences, health equity considerations and longer-term outcomes for such models of care.

Identification of Five Quality Needs for Rheumatology (Text Analysis and Literature Review)

Background: While the use of the term "quality" in industry relates to the basic idea of making processes measurable and standardizing processes, medicine focuses on achieving health goals that go far beyond the mere implementation of diagnostic and therapeutic processes. However, the quality management systems used are often simple, self-created concepts that concentrate on administrative processes without considering the quality of the results, which is essential for the patient. For several rheumatic diseases, both outcome and treatment goals have been defined. This work summarizes current mainstreams of strategies with published quality efforts in rheumatology. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were used to search for studies, and additional manual searches were carried out. Screening and content evaluation were carried out using the PRISMA-P 2015 checklist. After duplicate search in the Endnote reference management software (version X9.1), the software Rayyan QCRI (https://rayyan.qcri.org) was applied to check for pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Abstracts and full texts were screened and rated using Voyant Tools (https://voyant-tools.org/). Key issues were identified using the collocate analysis. Results: The number of selected publications was small but specific (14 relevant correlations with coefficients >0.8). Using trend analysis, 15 publications with relative frequency of keywords >0.0125 were used for content analysis, revealing 5 quality needs. The treat to target (T2T) initiative was identified as fundamental paradigm. Outcome parameters required for T2T also allow quality assessments in routine clinical work. Quality care by multidisciplinary teams also focusing on polypharmacy and other quality aspects become essential, A global software platform to assess quality aspects is missing. Such an approach requires reporting of multiple outcome parameters according to evidence-based clinical guidelines and recommendations for the different rheumatic diseases. All health aspects defined by the WHO (physical, mental, and social health) have to be integrated into the management of rheumatic patients. Conclusion: For the future, quality projects need goals defined by T2T based initiatives in routine clinical work, secondary quality goals include multidisciplinary cooperation and reduction of polypharmacy. Quality indicators and standards in different health systems will provide new information to optimize patients' care in different health systems.

Intensive therapy for moderate established rheumatoid arthritis: the TITRATE research programme

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis is a major inflammatory disorder and causes substantial disability. Treatment goals span minimising disease activity, achieving remission and decreasing disability. In active rheumatoid arthritis, intensive management achieves these goals. As many patients with established rheumatoid arthritis have moderate disease activity, the TITRATE (Treatment Intensities and Targets in Rheumatoid Arthritis ThErapy) programme assessed the benefits of intensive management.

Objectives

To (1) define how to deliver intensive therapy in moderate established rheumatoid arthritis; (2) establish its clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in a trial; and (3) evaluate evidence supporting intensive management in observational studies and completed trials.

Design

Observational studies, secondary analyses of completed trials and systematic reviews assessed existing evidence about intensive management. Qualitative research, patient workshops and systematic reviews defined how to deliver it. The trial assessed its clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in moderate established rheumatoid arthritis.

Setting

Observational studies (in three London centres) involved 3167 patients. These were supplemented by secondary analyses of three previously completed trials (in centres across all English regions), involving 668 patients. Qualitative studies assessed expectations (nine patients in four London centres) and experiences of intensive management (15 patients in 10 centres across England). The main clinical trial enrolled 335 patients with diverse socioeconomic deprivation and ethnicity (in 39 centres across all English regions).

Participants

Patients with established moderately active rheumatoid arthritis receiving conventional disease-modifying drugs.

Interventions

Intensive management used combinations of conventional disease-modifying drugs, biologics (particularly tumour necrosis factor inhibitors) and depot steroid injections; nurses saw patients monthly, adjusted treatment and provided supportive person-centred psychoeducation. Control patients received standard care.

Main outcome measures

Disease Activity Score for 28 joints based on the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR)-categorised patients (active to remission). Remission (DAS28-ESR < 2.60) was the treatment target. Other outcomes included fatigue (measured on a 100-mm visual analogue scale), disability (as measured on the Health Assessment Questionnaire), harms and resource use for economic assessments.

Results

Evaluation of existing evidence for intensive rheumatoid arthritis management showed the following. First, in observational studies, DAS28-ESR scores decreased over 10–20 years, whereas remissions and treatment intensities increased. Second, in systematic reviews of published trials, all intensive management strategies increased remissions. Finally, patients with high disability scores had fewer remissions. Qualitative studies of rheumatoid arthritis patients, workshops and systematic reviews helped develop an intensive management pathway. A 2-day training session for rheumatology practitioners explained its use, including motivational interviewing techniques and patient handbooks. The trial screened 459 patients and randomised 335 patients (168 patients received intensive management and 167 patients received standard care). A total of 303 patients provided 12-month outcome data. Intention-to-treat analysis showed intensive management increased DAS28-ESR 12-month remissions, compared with standard care (32% vs. 18%, odds ratio 2.17, 95% confidence interval 1.28 to 3.68; p = 0.004), and reduced fatigue [mean difference –18, 95% confidence interval –24 to –11 (scale 0–100); p < 0.001]. Disability (as measured on the Health Assessment Questionnaire) decreased when intensive management patients achieved remission (difference –0.40, 95% confidence interval –0.57 to –0.22) and these differences were considered clinically relevant. However, in all intensive management patients reductions in the Health Assessment Questionnaire scores were less marked (difference –0.1, 95% confidence interval –0.2 to 0.0). The numbers of serious adverse events (intensive management n = 15 vs. standard care n = 11) and other adverse events (intensive management n = 114 vs. standard care n = 151) were similar. Economic analysis showed that the base-case incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was £43,972 from NHS and Personal Social Services cost perspectives. The probability of meeting a willingness-to-pay threshold of £30,000 was 17%. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio decreased to £29,363 after including patients’ personal costs and lost working time, corresponding to a 50% probability that intensive management is cost-effective at English willingness-to-pay thresholds. Analysing trial baseline predictors showed that remission predictors comprised baseline DAS28-ESR, disability scores and body mass index. A 6-month extension study (involving 95 intensive management patients) showed fewer remissions by 18 months, although more sustained remissions were more likley to persist. Qualitative research in trial completers showed that intensive management was acceptable and treatment support from specialist nurses was beneficial.

Limitations

The main limitations comprised (1) using single time point remissions rather than sustained responses, (2) uncertainty about benefits of different aspects of intensive management and differences in its delivery across centres, (3) doubts about optimal treatment of patients unresponsive to intensive management and (4) the lack of formal international definitions of ‘intensive management’.

Conclusion

The benefits of intensive management need to be set against its additional costs. These were relatively high. Not all patients benefited. Patients with high pretreatment physical disability or who were substantially overweight usually did not achieve remission.

Future work

Further research should (1) identify the most effective components of the intervention, (2) consider its most cost-effective delivery and (3) identify alternative strategies for patients not responding to intensive management.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN70160382.

Funding

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Programme Grants for Applied Research programme and will be published in full in Programme Grants for Applied Research; Vol. 9, No. 8. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

The patient perspective of nurse-led care in early rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review of qualitative studies with thematic analysis

INTRODUCTION

Management of rheumatoid arthritis has changed dramatically over the last decade and is characterised by early start of intensive treatment and tight monitoring of disease activity until remission. The role of nurse-led care at early stage of disease is not well understood.

AIMS

To develop an understanding of rheumatology nurse-led care from the perspective of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODS

A systematic review of qualitative studies, reported in line with PRISMA checklist. In March 2019, the following databases were searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and OpenGrey. Studies were included if they: included adults with rheumatoid arthritis; were qualitative studies with data on patients' perspectives of nurse-led care; and published in peer-reviewed journals, in English, between 2010-2019. Due to few studies in early rheumatoid arthritis, inclusion was extended to adults with established rheumatoid arthritis. Two reviewers screened abstracts and full texts. Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool was used for quality assessment. Thematic synthesis was conducted according to the framework of Thomas and Harden (2008).

RESULTS

The search identified 1034 records. After screening and assessing for eligibility, eight qualitative studies were included in the review (133 patients). Three themes were identified from the synthesis. Nurse-led care was seen to provide professional expertise in planning and delivery of care. A person-centred approach was used combined with good communication skills, thus creating a positive therapeutic environment. Nurse-led care was described as providing a sense of empowerment and psychological support.

CONCLUSION

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are supportive of nurse-led care. They value its professionalism and person-centred approach which provide a sense of security and confidence.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The findings outline ingredients of nurse-led care that are important to patients. These can inform nurses' professional development plans, service improvement and the competence framework for rheumatology nursing.

Patient-Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU) as reorganized support for increased patient involvement - focus group discussions among patients' with inflammatory arthritis

Background

Inflammatory Arthritis is characterized by lifelong medical treatment and an unpredictable trajectory because of the fluctuating nature of the diseases. Proactive disease management is recommended, which includes close monitoring of disease activity that traditionally has been ensured by outpatient visits to rheumatologists at various fixed intervals. Internationally, there is a growing interest in how healthcare systems can be more flexible, individual-oriented and increasingly involve patients with lifelong diseases in their own treatment and care. We aimed to explore how patients with Inflammatory Arthritis with low disease activity or remission (DAS-CRP < 2.9) experience patient involvement in a reorganized follow-up care based on flexibility and patient-initiated contact.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative study based on four mixed group discussions focused on patients with inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis [n = 21], axial spondyloarthritis [n = 3] and psoriatic arthritis [n = 1]) participating in a reorganized follow-up care. Changes in follow-up included access to a nurse and patient-initiated follow-up (PIFU). The analysis was based on content analysis. The reporting adheres to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ).

Results

In total, 25 patients (20 females (80%), mean age 61.8 [range 28–79]) participated. We identified three categories. 1) Patient-Initiated Follow-Up do not affect patients’ perceived support in disease control; this refers to patients’ experience of more time available through better resource utilization, as well as trust that access to professional support would be available whenever needed. The category 2) Information is valued by patients to delineate responsibilities in a new patient role reflects patients’ uncertainty in the transition to PIFU, combined with confusion about the distribution of responsibilities. 3) Patients need both extended perspectives of their arthritis and focused dialogue is about expanding patients’ understanding of their arthritis by interaction over time with both a rheumatologist and a rheumatology nurse in a focused dialogue to involve the patient.

Conclusions

Patients participating in PIFU welcome the flexibility and involvement. However, patients need relevant information to act adequately within a new patient role. Interaction with both rheumatologists and nurses, combined with sufficient time for dialogue, broaden patients’ perspective, make opportunities for action visible, and contribute to patients’ ability to participate in follow-up care.

The value, impact and role of nurses in rheumatology outpatient care: Critical review of the literature

BACKGROUND

As rheumatology nurses make substantial contributions to intensive management programmes following 'treat to target' principles of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), there is a need to understand the impacts of their involvement. A structured literature review was undertaken of qualitative studies, clinical trials and observational studies to assess the impacts of rheumatology nurses on clinical outcomes and the experiences of patients with RA and to examine the skills and training of the nurses involved.

METHOD

A structured literature review was conducted to examine the value, impact and professional role of nurses in RA management.

RESULTS

The literature search identified 657 publications, and 20 of them were included comprising: seven qualitative studies (242 patients), nine trials (a total of 2,440 patients) and four observational studies (1,234 patients). In clinical trials, nurses achieved similar patient clinical outcomes to doctors, and nurses also enhanced patients' satisfaction of received care and self-efficacy. In the qualitative studies reviewed, the nurses increased patients' knowledge and promoted their self-management. The observational studies studied examined found that nursing care led to improved patients' global functioning. The nurses in the various studies had a wide range of titles, experiences and training.

DISCUSSION

Our structured literature review provides strong evidence that rheumatology nurses are effective in delivering care for RA patients. However, their titles, experience and training were highly variable.

CONCLUSION

There is a convincing case to maintain and extend the role of nurses in managing RA, but further work is needed on standardisation of their titles and training.

"Mastering a New Life Situation" - Patients' Preferences of Treatment Outcomes in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis - A Longitudinal Qualitative Study

PURPOSE

To explore patients' preferred treatment outcomes during their first two years with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A qualitative, longitudinal, multicenter study with interviews at two time points was performed in Sweden. Individual interviews were conducted at time point 1 with 31 patients with RA, defined as disease duration of ≤1 year and treatment for 3-7 months. Seven focus group interviews and five individual interviews were conducted at time point 2 with 22 patients 12-20 months after treatment initiation. The interviews were analyzed using the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven. A core category with four related concepts emerged.

RESULTS

The core finding of patient-preferred treatment outcomes was "mastering a new life situation". Patients preferred to experience control of the disease by controlling the symptoms and by experiencing absence of disease. To experience autonomy by regaining former activity level, experiencing independence, and being empowered was another preferred outcome. Patients preferred to regain identity through being able to participate, experience well-being, and regain former self-image. To experience joy in everyday life through vitality and believing in the future was another preferred outcome. Patients' preferences developed over time from the acute phase of controlling the symptoms and wanting to return to the life they lived prior to diagnosis, to a more preventive way of self-management and empowerment to master the new life situation.

CONCLUSION

The patients' preferred treatment outcomes during the first two years with RA were to master their new life situation and changed from a preference to return to a life lived prior disease onset, to a preference of living with quality of life, despite RA. This study increases the understanding of patients' preferred treatment outcomes in the early disease course and can be a foundation for tailoring interventions to be more person-centered and to improve long-term treatment outcomes.

Interactions between women with rheumatoid arthritis and nurses during outpatient consultations: A qualitative study

INTRODUCTION

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease, and patients with RA receive services in various settings-for example, in nurse-led follow-up consultations. The present study aimed to investigate how the management of RA in everyday life is expressed in interactions between nurses and women with RA during nursing consultations.

METHODS

The study was conducted in accordance with constructivist grounded theory, with data based on participant observations and subsequent interviews with 10 women with RA.

RESULTS

A core category was developed, "Collaboration through mutual acknowledgement", which documented how the women and nurses confirmed their shared understanding of the content and the structure of the consultation. Three subcategories were identified: (i) "On safe ground", which illustrated that biomedical factors, such as blood test results and pharmacological treatment, structured the basis of the dialogue; (ii) "Venturing forward", which documented how both parties were aware of each other's reactions when the dialogue dealt with women's perspectives of illness in their everyday lives; and (iii) "Gentle steering", which showed that the nurses gently steered the dialogue if the women strayed from the planned content.

CONCLUSIONS

Both parties agreed that a disease perspective consistent with biomedical factors formed the basis for further dialogue. Subsequently, the women's perspectives on illness were included, and the women felt acknowledged. Therefore, the recommendation is that the consultations start by all parties agreeing on a shared agenda to facilitate the inclusion of the women's perspectives on illness.

2018 update of the EULAR recommendations for the role of the nurse in the management of chronic inflammatory arthritis

To update the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the role of the nurse in the management of chronic inflammatory arthritis (CIA) using the most up to date evidence. The EULAR standardised operating procedures were followed. A task force of rheumatologists, health professionals and patients, representing 17 European countries updated the recommendations, based on a systematic literature review and expert consensus. Higher level of evidence and new insights into nursing care for patients with CIA were added to the recommendation. Level of agreement was obtained by email voting. The search identified 2609 records, of which 51 (41 papers, 10 abstracts), mostly on rheumatoid arthritis, were included. Based on consensus, the task force formulated three overarching principles and eight recommendations. One recommendation remained unchanged, six were reworded, two were merged and one was reformulated as an overarching principle. Two additional overarching principles were formulated. The overarching principles emphasise the nurse’s role as part of a healthcare team, describe the importance of providing evidence-based care and endorse shared decision-making in the nursing consultation with the patient. The recommendations cover the contribution of rheumatology nursing in needs-based patient education, satisfaction with care, timely access to care, disease management, efficiency of care, psychosocial support and the promotion of self-management. The level of agreement among task force members was high (mean 9.7, range 9.6-10.0). The updated recommendations encompass three overarching principles and eight evidence-based and expert opinion-based recommendations for the role of the nurse in the management of CIA.

Nurses' roles in the management of chronic inflammatory arthritis: a systematic review

In 2011 EULAR first published recommendations for the potential role of nurses in the management of patients with rheumatic diseases. To perform a literature update for the role of nurses in the management of chronic inflammatory arthritis (CIA) from 2010 to 2018. A systematic literature review (SLR) was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines, in accordance with the search strategies and eligibility criteria of the EULAR taskforce. The eligibility criteria were “inflammatory arthritis”, “interventions undertaken by nurses” and “relevant outcomes to answer the research questions”. Exclusion criteria were in itself contradictory outcomes, insufficient data, consideration if they did not clearly distinguish between nurses and health professionals or focused on chronic other than rheumatic diseases. Systematic reviews were classified as descriptive and excluded. Quality of selected trials was determined according to Oxford—levels of evidence 2009. A total of 48 articles and 10 abstracts were identified fulfilling the eligibility and exclusion criteria. Recommendation 1 has been well established in Europe so far. New evidence strengthens the recommendation 3, and—at least in part—recommendation 6. High evidence strengthens recommendation 4, especially for outpatients with low and stable disease activity. Some new evidence also exists for recommendations 7 and 8. This SLR reveals new evidence for the role of nurses in managing CIA patients since 2010, especially for RA-patients with low disease activity or in remission.

Person-centred care in nurse-led outpatient rheumatology clinics: Conceptualization and initial development of a measurement instrument

BACKGROUND

Person-centred care (PCC) is considered a key component of effective illness management and high-quality care. However, the PCC concept is underdeveloped in outpatient care. In rheumatology, PCC is considered an unmet need and its further development and evaluation is of high priority. The aim of the present study was to conceptualize and operationalize PCC, in order to develop an instrument for measuring patient-perceived PCC in nurse-led outpatient rheumatology clinics.

METHODS

A conceptual outpatient PCC framework was developed, based on the experiences of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), person-centredness principles and existing PCC frameworks. The resulting framework was operationalized into the PCC instrument for outpatient care in rheumatology (PCCoc/rheum), which was tested for acceptability and content validity among 50 individuals with RA attending a nurse-led outpatient clinic.

RESULTS

The conceptual framework focuses on the meeting between the person with RA and the nurse, and comprises five interrelated domains: social environment, personalization, shared decision-making, empowerment and communication. Operationalization of the domains into a pool of items generated a preliminary PCCoc/rheum version, which was completed in a mean (standard deviation) of 5.3 (2.5) min. Respondents found items easy to understand (77%) and relevant (93%). The Content Validity Index of the PCCoc/rheum was 0.94 (item level range, 0.87-1.0). About 80% of respondents considered some items redundant. Based on these results, the PCCoc/rheum was revised into a 24-item questionnaire.

CONCLUSIONS

A conceptual outpatient PCC framework and a 24-item questionnaire intended to measure PCC in nurse-led outpatient rheumatology clinics were developed. The extent to which the questionnaire represents a measurement instrument remains to be tested.

Experiences of a patient-initiated self-monitoring service in inflammatory arthritis: A qualitative exploration

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to explore patients' experience of a patient-initiated self-monitoring service for people with rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis who are on methotrexate.

METHODS

The study took the form of qualitative semi-structured interviews, embedded within a randomized controlled trial. Twelve participants who were randomly assigned to the intervention arm were interviewed. Interviews digitally, transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. The study received full National Health Service ethics approval from Camden and Islington Community Local Research Ethics Committee (Ref. 09/H0722/91).

RESULTS

Analysis revealed five key themes. Participants described usual care as burdensome and an inefficient use of time, particularly those in employment. Being able to self-monitor and initiate their own care increased patients' knowledge about their illness and its treatment, and enabled them to gain a sense of control and ownership over their arthritis. They appreciated the personalized nature of the new service, which allowed them to be seen at a time and by a method more appropriate to their needs. There were, however, some concerns about fidelity to the service protocol, confusion about the lack of consistency between symptoms and laboratory results, and anxiety about self-monitoring.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, participants were positive about the new service, in comparison with usual care, valuing its tailored approach and empowering effects. Further work is needed to ensure adherence to the service protocol and address anxieties around self-monitoring prior to any widespread implementation of the service.

Efficacy of embedded nurse-led versus conventional physician-led follow-up in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of embedded nurse-led versus conventional physician-led follow-up on disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

In a systematic literature search, we identified randomised controlled trials (RCTs) reporting on the efficacy of nurse-led follow-up on disease control in patients with RA compared with physician-led follow-up. Primary outcome was disease activity indicated by Disease Activity Score (DAS)-28. Secondary outcomes were: patient satisfaction, physical disability, fatigue, self-efficacy and quality of life. Outcomes were assessed after 1-year and 2 year follow-ups.

RESULTS

Seven studies representing five RCTs, including a total of 723 participants, were included. All but one study included stable patients in low disease activity or remission at baseline. No difference in DAS-28 was found after 1 year (mean difference (MD) -0.07 (95% CI -0.23 to 0.09)). After 2 years, a statistically significant difference was seen in favour of nurse-led follow-up (MD -0.28 (95% CI -0.53 to -0.04)). However, the difference did not reach a clinically relevant level. No difference was found in patient satisfaction after 1 year (standard mean difference (SMD) -0.17 (95 % CI -1.0 to 0.67), whereas a statistical significant difference in favour of nurse-led follow-up was seen after 2 years (SMD: 0.6 (95% CI -0.00 to 1.20)).

CONCLUSION

After 1 year no difference in disease activity, indicated by DAS-28, were found between embedded nurse-led follow-up compared with conventional physician-led follow-up, in RA patients with low disease activity or remission.

Nurse-led Care for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review of the Effect on Quality of Care

Objective.

In the nurse-led care (NLC) model, nurses take on the primary responsibility for patient management. We systematically assessed the effect of NLC for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on multiple dimensions of quality of care from the Alberta Quality of Care Matrix for Health.

Methods.

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL from 1950 to January 2015. English-language studies were included if they reported on NLC for patients with RA and assessed 1 or more dimensions of quality (effectiveness, acceptability, efficiency, accessibility, appropriateness, and safety). Data were synthesized using narrative analysis.

Results.

We included 10 studies. The NLC models varied in terms of nurses’ professional designation (clinical nurse specialists or nurse practitioners); however, their role in the clinic was fairly consistent. Disease activity was the most common measure of effectiveness, with NLC being equal (n = 2) or superior (n = 3) to the comparator. NLC was equal (n = 1) or superior (n = 5) versus the comparator in terms of patient satisfaction (i.e., acceptability of care). NLC was equally safe as other models (n = 2). Regarding efficiency, results varied across studies (n = 6) and did not allow for conclusions about models’ cost-effectiveness. In qualitative studies, patients found NLC to be superior in terms of accessibility [i.e., continuity of care (n = 3) and appropriateness measured with education and support (n = 4)]; however, no quantitative measures were found.

Conclusion.

NLC for patients with RA is effective, acceptable, and safe as compared with other models. However, current evidence is insufficient to draw conclusions about its efficiency, accessibility, and appropriateness.

[EULAR recommendations for patient education of people with inflammatory arthritis. Translation and evaluation in Germany]

In 2015 EULAR published recommendations for patient education of people with inflammatory arthritis. The recommendations included two superior principles and eight recommendations based on the level of evidence and expert knowledge. The German translation of the recommendations was evaluated by 15 German experts. Experts graded the strength of the recommendations (SOR) on an 11 point numerical rating scale (from 0 = no agreement to 10 = total agreement). The mean score was 8,8 ± 0,49.

Patients' confidence in coping with arthritis after nurse-led education; a qualitative study

Background

The aim of this study was to explore how patients with chronic inflammatory polyarthritis described coping with their disease after a nurse-led patient education program and compare these experiences to patients in a control group who did not receive any education.

Methods

This was a qualitative study nested within a randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating the effect of nurse-led patient education for patients with chronic inflammatory polyarthritis. Twenty-six individual face-to-face interviews, 15 in the intervention group and 11 in the control group were conducted approximately two months after the educational program. The same opening question; «Can you please tell me how you have been these last four months, since last time we spoke», followed by questions about the informants’ experiences of coping with disease-related challenges, disease activity changes, coping with disease activity changes, the informants’ perceptions of good and challenging situations to be in were asked to all informants.

Results

Informants who attended the educational program expressed a strengthened confidence in coping with the consequences of having arthritis, which made them feel good. The strengthened confidence was attributed to sharing experiences with other participants in the group and learning something new. Informants in the intervention group further linked their confidence to 1) coping with disease fluctuations, 2) changed health behaviours and 3) knowledge about medications.

Conclusions

Patients taking part in nurse-led patient education described a strengthened confidence in coping with their arthritis stemming from sharing experiences with other patients and learning something new.

Trial registration

The RCT was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00623922) in February 2008.

Initial evidence for the link between activities and health: Associations between a balance of activities, functioning and serum levels of cytokines and C-reactive protein

Growing evidence shows interrelations of psychological factors, neurological and immunological processes. Therefore, constructs like a balance of activities, the so called "occupational balance", could also have biological correlates. The aim of this study was to investigate potential associations between occupational balance, functioning, cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients suffering from a chronic inflammatory disease like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthy people. Moreover, we wanted to explore potential differences in gender and employment status. A descriptive study in patients with RA and healthy people was conducted using the Occupational Balance-Questionnaire (OB-Quest) and the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). Serum levels of cytokines, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and 8 (IL-8), interferon alpha (INFα), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), rheumatoid factor (RF) and of CRP were measured. Descriptive statistics, as well as Mann-Whitney U tests and Spearmen's rank correlation coefficients (rs) were calculated. One-hundred-thirty-two patients with RA and 76 healthy people participated. Occupational balance was associated with functioning, cytokines and CRP. The strongest associations were identified in the unemployed healthy-people sample with cytokines and CRP being within the normal range. For example, the OB-Quest item challenging activities was associated with IL-8 (rs=-0.63, p=0.04) and the SF-36 sub-scale bodily pain was associated with IFNα (rs=-0.69, p=0.02). The items rest and sleep (rs=-0.71, p=0.01) and variety of different activities (rs=-0.74, p<0.01) correlated with the SF-36 sub-scale social functioning. Employed and unemployed people differed in their age and CRP levels. Additionally, gender differences were found in two OB-Quest items in that fewer women were able to adapt their activities to changing living conditions and fewer men were overstressed. In conclusion, we found preliminary biological evidence for the link between occupation and health in that the concepts encompassed in the construct of occupational balance were associated with functioning, cytokines and CRP.

Which Factors Influence Self-Efficacy in Patients with Chronic Inflammatory Polyarthritis?

OBJECTIVES

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or unspecified polyarthritis (UA) deal with several symptoms such as joint stiffness, pain, physical limitations and fatigue. Self-efficacy is about patients' beliefs and abilities to handle the symptoms and implications of having arthritis. Patients' self-efficacy is also a phenomenon that nurses may affect through patient education. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the factors that predict self-efficacy in patients with chronic inflammatory polyarthritis.

METHODS

The participants (n = 132) were recruited from St Olavs University Hospital in central Norway from 2008 to 2010, and consisted of adult patients with RA, PsA or UA. We performed secondary analyses on data collected in a randomized controlled trial studying the long-term effects of nurse-led patient education. We carried out bivariate and multivariate linear regression analyses. The predictor variables consisted of baseline data on demographics, disease characteristics (diagnosis, disease duration, disease activity, use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, pain and tiredness) and psychological variables (well-being, psychological distress and patient activation). The dependent variables were self-efficacy over other symptoms and self-efficacy over for pain after one year.

RESULTS

The analyses showed that female gender and patient activation predicted higher self-efficacy over other symptoms, whereas female gender and better well-being predicted higher self-efficacy over pain.

CONCLUSION

To strengthen arthritis patients' self-efficacy, nurses need to focus on patients' well-being and activation. Nurses also need to be aware of possible gender differences regarding patients' self-efficacy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effects of needs-based patient education on self-efficacy and health outcomes in people with rheumatoid arthritis: a multicentre, single blind, randomised controlled trial

Objectives

The Educational Needs Assessment Tool (ENAT) is a self-completed questionnaire, which allows patients with arthritis to prioritise their educational needs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of needs-based patient education on self-efficacy, health outcomes and patient knowledge in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Patients with RA were enrolled into this multicentre, single-blind, parallel-group, pragmatic randomised controlled trial. Patients were randomised to either the intervention group (IG) where patients completed ENAT, responses of which were used by the clinical nurse specialist to guide patient education; or control group (CG) in which they received patient education without the use of ENAT. Patients were seen at weeks 0, 16 and 32. The primary outcome was self-efficacy (Arthritis Self Efficacy Scale (ASES)-Pain and ASES-Other symptoms). Secondary outcomes were health status (short form of Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2, AIMS2-SF) and patient knowledge questionnaire-RA. We investigated between-group differences using analysis of covariance, adjusting for baseline variables.

Results

A total of 132 patients were recruited (IG=70 and CG=62). Their mean (SD) age was 54 (12.3) years, 56 (13.3)  years and disease duration 5.2 (4.9) years, 6.7 (8.9) years for IG and CG, respectively. There were significant between-group differences, in favour of IG at week 32 in the primary outcomes, ASES-Pain, mean difference (95% CI) −4.36 (1.17 to 7.55), t=−2.72, p=0.008 and ASES-Other symptoms, mean difference (95% CI) −5.84 (2.07 to 9.62), t=−3.07, p=0.003. In secondary outcomes, the between-group differences favoured IG in AIMS2-SF Symptoms and AIMS2-SF Affect. There were no between-group differences in other secondary outcomes.

Conclusions

The results suggest that needs-based education helps improve patients’ self-efficacy and some aspects of health status.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN51523281.

EULAR recommendations for patient education for people with inflammatory arthritis

Objectives

The task force aimed to: (1) develop evidence-based recommendations for patient education (PE) for people with inflammatory arthritis, (2) identify the need for further research on PE and (3) determine health professionals’ educational needs in order to provide evidence-based PE.

Methods

A multidisciplinary task force, representing 10 European countries, formulated a definition for PE and 10 research questions that guided a systematic literature review (SLR). The results from the SLR were discussed and used as a basis for developing the recommendations, a research agenda and an educational agenda. The recommendations were categorised according to level and strength of evidence graded from A (highest) to D (lowest). Task force members rated their agreement with each recommendation from 0 (total disagreement) to 10 (total agreement).

Results

Based on the SLR and expert opinions, eight recommendations were developed, four with strength A evidence. The recommendations addressed when and by whom PE should be offered, modes and methods of delivery, theoretical framework, outcomes and evaluation. A high level of agreement was achieved for all recommendations (mean range 9.4–9.8). The task force proposed a research agenda and an educational agenda.

Conclusions

The eight evidence-based and expert opinion-based recommendations for PE for people with inflammatory arthritis are intended to provide a core framework for the delivery of PE and training for health professionals in delivering PE across Europe.

Do patient-reported outcome measures cover personal factors important to people with rheumatoid arthritis? A mixed methods design using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as frame of reference

Background

Personal factors (PFs) are internal factors that determine functioning and the individuals’ experience of disability. Their coverage by patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) has not been examined in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) so far. The aims of this study were to identify PFs important in the life stories of people with RA and to determine their coverage by PROMs used in RA.

Methods

The qualitative data of people with RA was explored to identify PFs. Additionally a systematic literature search was conducted to find PROMs used in RA. PROMs items were linked to the components, domains and categories of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to determine the coverage of important PFs by PROMs.

Results

Twelve PFs were found to be important in the life stories of people with RA. The PFs coping and reflecting about one’s life in an optimistic way were covered most frequently, each by 14 of the 42 explored PROMs, while job satisfaction was not covered at all. The London Coping with Rheumatoid Arthritis Questionnaire, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale, Rheumatoid Arthritis Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and Revised Ways of Coping Inventory covered most PFs. Nineteen PROMs did not cover any of the PFs.

Conclusion

Several PFs were identified as important in the life stories of people with RA, but only 55% of the PROMS covered some of these PFs. When evaluating PFs important to people with RA, health professionals should be alert on which PROMs can be used to assess which PFs.

Self-management support from the perspective of patients with a chronic condition: a thematic synthesis of qualitative studies

BACKGROUND

Receiving adequate support seems to be crucial to the success of self-management. Although different empirical studies separately examined patients' preferences for self-management support (SMS), an overview is lacking.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this qualitative review was to identify patients' needs with respect to SMS and to explore by whom this support is preferably provided.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Qualitative studies were identified from Embase, MEDLINE OvidSP, Web of science, PubMed publisher, Cochrane central, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and PsycINFO.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Articles needed to meet all of the following criteria: (i) focuses on self-management, (ii) concerns adult patients with rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia), a variant of cancer or chronic kidney disease, (iii) explores support needs from the patients' perspective, (iv) uses qualitative methods and (v) published in English.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

A thematic synthesis, developed by Thomas and Harden, was conducted of the 37 included studies.

MAIN RESULTS

Chronic patients need instrumental support, psychosocial support and relational support from health-care professionals, family/friends and fellow patients to manage the chronic condition. Relational support is at the centre of the support needs and fuels all other types of support.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Patients do not self-manage on their own. Patients expect health-care professionals to fulfil a comprehensive role. Support needs can be knitted together only when patients and professionals work together on the basis of collaborative partnership. Dynamics in support needs make it important to regularly assess patient needs.

Shared care or nurse consultations as an alternative to rheumatologist follow-up for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) outpatients with stable low disease-activity RA: cost-effectiveness based on a 2-year randomized trial

OBJECTIVES

To compare the cost-effectiveness of three types of follow-up for outpatients with stable low-activity rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHOD

In total, 287 patients were randomized to either planned rheumatologist consultations, shared care without planned consultations, or planned nurse consultations. Effectiveness measures included disease activity (Disease Activity Score based on 28 joint counts and C-reactive protein, DAS28-CRP), functional status (Health Assessment Questionnaire, HAQ), and health-related quality of life (EuroQol EQ-5D). Cost measures included activities in outpatient clinics and general practice, prescription and non-prescription medicine, dietary supplements, other health-care resources, and complementary and alternative care. Measures of effectiveness and costs were collected by self-reported questionnaires at inclusion and after 12 and 24 months. Incremental cost-effectiveness rates (ICERs) were estimated in comparison with rheumatologist consultations.

RESULTS

Changes in disease activity, functional status, and health-related quality of life were not statistically significantly different for the three groups, although the mean scores were better for the shared care and nurse care groups compared with the rheumatologist group. Shared care and nurse care were non-significantly less costly than rheumatologist care. As both shared care and nurse care were associated with slightly better EQ-5D improvements and lower costs, they dominated rheumatologist care. At EUR 10,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) threshold, shared care and nurse care were cost-effective with more than 90% probability. Nurse care was cost-effective in comparison with shared care with 75% probability.

CONCLUSIONS

Shared care and nurse care seem to cost less but provide broadly similar health outcomes compared with rheumatologist outpatient care. However, it is still uncertain whether nurse care and shared care are cost-effective in comparison with rheumatologist outpatient care.

Self-efficacy and arthritis disability: An updated synthesis of the evidence base and its relevance to optimal patient care

Self-efficacy, denoting the degree of confidence an individual has in carrying out a specific activity, was initially discussed in the 1970s as a potential correlate of disease outcomes. Drawn from 35 years of related research, this review provides an updated understanding of the concept of self-efficacy and its relevance for arthritis management. There is a consistent link between self-efficacy, arthritis pain and disability, and adherence to recommended therapeutic strategies. A wide variety of intervention strategies improve arthritis self-efficacy, as well as outcomes. Steps to assess and intervene thoughtfully to maximize self-efficacy beliefs are likely to impact arthritis disability outcomes quite favorably and significantly, regardless of disease type, duration, or sociodemographic factors.

Shared care or nursing consultations as an alternative to rheumatologist follow-up for rheumatoid arthritis outpatients with low disease activity--patient outcomes from a 2-year, randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

To compare patient outcomes of three regimes of follow-up care for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) outpatients with low disease activity.

METHODS

RA outpatients (n=287) with Disease Activity Score (DAS28-CRP)<3.2 and Health Assessment Questionnaire<2.5 from two Danish rheumatology clinics were randomised to 2-year follow-up by either: (1) planned rheumatologist consultations, (2) shared care without planned consultations or (3) planned nursing consultations. The primary outcome was change in disease activity. DAS28-CRP, Health Assessment Questionnaire, visual analogue scale (VAS)-pain, fatigue, global health, confidence and satisfaction, quality-of-life by the Short Form 12 and self-efficacy measured by the RA Self-Efficacy questionnaire and the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale, were recorded annually and safety measures were recorded. x-Rays of hands and feet were taken at baseline and at 2-year follow-up. Mixed effect models were used to explore differences between the three groups over time.

RESULTS

At 2-year follow-up, the group allocated to nursing consultations had lower disease activity than the group that underwent rheumatologist consultations (DAS28-CRP -0.3, p=0.049). The nursing group increased their self-efficacy (Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale 18.8, p=0.001), confidence (10.7, p=0.001) and satisfaction (10.8, p<0.001) compared with the rheumatologist group. The shared care group reported a transient lower satisfaction compared with the rheumatologist group after 1 year (-8.8, p=0.004). No statistically significant differences were seen in other outcome variables.

CONCLUSIONS

It is safe to implement shared care and nursing consultations as alternatives to rheumatologist consultations for RA outpatients with low disease activity without deterioration in disease control. Nursing consultations can enhance patients' self-efficacy, confidence and satisfaction.

It means everything: continuing normality of everyday life for people with rheumatoid arthritis in early remission

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this follow-up study was twofold: firstly, to explore how people who were clinically regarded to be in a state of remission experienced their everyday lives with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); secondly, to explore the experiences of people in early remission with healthcare provision and their perceived support needs.

METHODS

Two focus group interviews were conducted with 11 participants in total. Interview data were analysed using content analysis methods.

RESULTS

All participants felt that they were able to continue their normal everyday activities at home, at leisure and at work. They were also able to maintain their normal roles. Continuing the normality of everyday life seemed to be the most important defining variable for experiencing being in remission. Support needs were directly related to the participants' positive experiences of actual support from the healthcare providers and were related to the continuity of the care provider, coherence, being taken care of, having a personal and trusting relationship with the health professionals and being properly informed about RA and how to manage it.

CONCLUSION

The participants wanted to concentrate on wellness and tended to avoid thinking of possible side effects, being chronic ill and the development of RA in the future.

The impact on self-efficacy of different types of follow-up care and disease status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis--a randomized trial

OBJECTIVE

To explore the impact from different types of outpatient care, demographic and disease related variables on self-efficacy beliefs (SE) in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after completing an educational program.

METHODS

287 adult RA outpatients with low disease activity and moderate physical disability from two Danish rheumatology clinics were randomized for follow-up care. (1) planned rheumatologist's consultations, (2) a shared care model without planned consultations, (3) planned nursing consultations. The participants' SE were assessed by the Danish versions of the rheumatoid arthritis self-efficacy questionnaire (RASE) and the arthritis self-efficacy scale (ASES). Data were collected at baseline, 3 months and one-year follow up and were explored in random intercept models.

RESULTS

Following an educational programme the nursing group increased or stabilized their SE during the first year compared to the medical and the shared care group. SE in the shared care group did not differ significantly from the medical group. No difference between the groups was seen in disease activity at any time.

CONCLUSION

Nursing consultations provide opportunities for maintenance of the patients' SE after patient education.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Implementation of nursing consultations as part of follow-up care in patients with stable RA is recommended.

Everyday life with rheumatoid arthritis and implications for patient education and clinical practice: a focus group study

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore how everyday life is affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in order to inform patient education and clinical practice and generate further research.

METHODS

Six focus group interviews were conducted with, in total, 32 participants. Interview data were analysed using content analysis methods.

RESULTS

The study showed that RA affected almost every aspect of participants' everyday lives, particularly self-identity, social relationships, work and relationships with health and social care professionals. A small number of the participants did not have these experiences, due to receiving fast diagnosis and effective medical treatment.

CONCLUSION

The findings point to a need to increase knowledge about RA, support symptom management and reduce the physical, social and psychological challenges posed by RA in everyday life. An individualized and engaged approach to patient education, taking the individual experiences as the point of departure, is suggested. The results indicate directions for further research. The general implications for patient education that emerge from this study might not address the support needs of those who did not experience significant changes in everyday life. A more detailed and in-depth understanding about living with RA in the first years after diagnosis would provide a valuable supplement to the many retrospective studies, and useful knowledge in the design of patient education tailored to those who are newly diagnosed with RA.